Automatic switch for telephone systems.



W. KAISLXNG. AUTOMATIC SWITCH Toa TELEPHONE SYSTEMS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3, 1`U11.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

1,131,140 ZSHEBTTW'HB T @j J' ZEE/Zim E525-ggg. E, MMM J Mm.

W. KAISLING.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.11, 1911.

1,131,140, Patented Mar.9,1915.

2 SEEETSvSHBET 2.

employed, and in which lof Fig. 1.

UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM KAISLINGyOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO KELLOGG SWITCHBOARD AND SUPPLY COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

Application led January 3, 1911. Serial No. 600,664.

To att whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM KAISLING, a citizen of the United States of America, re-V siding in Chicago, county of Cook, State of `Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements* in Automatic Switches for Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic switches for telephone systems and in particular to switches of the type in which bank contacts are arranged in groups and in which movable Wipers are given a primary movement to a group of bank contacts and thereafter are given a secondary movement to connect -with a contact in a group.

Prior to this, switches having the' above characteristics, usually employ an extra release magnet to be operated to allow the wipers to be restored, or where no release magnet is employed, the wipers are aided.

by gravity in their restoration.

An object of my invention is to provide a switch in which no extra release magnet is the wipers are restored by spring tension. and do not depend upon gravity, thus providing a switch which is more positive in operation.

Another feature of my invention, is in constructing a switch in units, so that the magnets, wiper shafts and other units. as

will be more particularly pointed out in the specification, may be readily replaced without dsturbingthe adjustment of other parts of the structure.

Other features of my invention are more particularly pointed out in the specification and in the appended claims.

My invention may be more fully understood byV reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a switch structure embodying'my invention. Fig. i). is a left side elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 but -with the wipers moved opposite the fifth contact bank. Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the switch with the primary wiper Shaft moved oil normal. Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view along line 6 6 of Fig. 5 showing more particularly the tension Spring for holding the retaining pawl in engagement with its associated ratchet. Fig. 'i' is a sectional view of a portion of the upper end of the wiper shafts and their bearing which is supported by the frame of the switch. Fig. S illustrates a portion of the horizontal part of the switch frame showing particularly the opening in whichthe shaft bearing is secured and the slot through which it is removed. Fig. 9 isan enlarged perspective vlew of the supporting block mounted on the primary or rotary ratchet as illustrated in Flgs. and 4. Fig. 10 is a detailed view of thewiper carrying arm and its supporting springfdrum and gear. Fig. 11 illustrates 1n perspective the clamping collar which mounts the wiper carrying arm and gear. Fig 12 is a view of the bolt or shaft which secures the wiper arm and gear kto the clamping collar of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the secondary magnet SM showing more 1iarticularly the armature and actuating pawl spring arrangement. Fig. 14 is a right side v1ew of the Secondary magnet SM .showing particularly the method of securing the pole pieces to the spool core. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the front frameof the secondary magnet. Fig. 1G is a perspective view of the block which serves as a stop for the secondary actuating pawl, a stop for the Y wiper shaft and is also adapted to coperalte with the secondary shaft retaining pawl. Fig. 17 shows an arrangement for removably securing the movable-part-supporting frame to the contact bank frame. Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of a circuit arrangement adapted to be used in connection with the switch of my invention.

Referring now to the structure of the switch of my invention, the same comprises a frame 1, on which are mounted all of the movable parts for operating the wipers. The contact bank mounting frame 2 is so :formed as to lit against the outer vertical and horizontal surfaces of frame 1,said fname 1 being removably secured to frame 2 by means of screw 90. Suitably fastened to the said frame '2 are ten contact banks 3, which are also suitably secured at their lower ends to the plate 1; preferably by screws. Each contact banki 3 comprises a mounting plate 5 and clamping plate 7, between \vhicl1.arc insulatingly held ten sets of contacts 8, 9 and l0. ,l ln Fig. 1 the two outer banks 3 are shou n ih full, while of the other eight banks, only the upper and lower ends of the mounting plates 5 are shown. In this Fig. 1 the eight intermediate banks are represented by dotted lines, they having been shown in this manner so as not to complicate the drawin to too great an eX- tent. In Fig. 1 of t e drawing, the extreme right and left banks 5 are shown and in each case the middle and outside bank contacts only are shown as the inside contact' (contact 10 of the left bank and contact 8 of the right bank) are hidden back of the insulation strip 3. In Fig. 2 the contact 8 is shown and it is to be understood that contact 10 is similar to contact 8 but on the other side of the insulating strip 3. To the lower surface -of the plate 4 is secured by means of screws 4, a contact bank having an upper mounting plate 11, and a lower plate 12 between which are insulatingly clamped ten bank contacts 13, there being one such 'contact 13 for each contact bank 3, the said contacts 13 being preferably disposed at a point below their associated contact bank 3. A common plate 14 is arranged above the contacts 13 having an exposed contacting surface extending beyond the plate 11. The'said contacts 13 and common plate 14 are adapted to be engaged respectively by wipers 15 and 16, the said wipers being electrically connected through the stitfening plate 17 and insulatingly mounted on' the removable hub 18. Thus it will be seen that when the wipers 15 and`16 are engaging respectively a contact 13 and plate 14, that the said plate 14 and the engaged contact 13 are adapted to be electrically connected through said wipers 15, 16 obviating the use of a connecting wire to the wi ers.

dapted to coperate with the contacts 8, 9 and .1.0, are the wipers 19,20, and 21. The said wipers are mounted on the arm 23, being suitably insulated therefrom, and have terminals as illustrated most clearly in F 1g. 1. Mounted alongside of the said wipers is the wiper' cord bracket 22, which is adapted to be fastened to the.wiper cords which are usually soldered to the terminals of the said wipers, thus relieving the strain which is` usually placed upon the soldered connections between the said wiper cords and the wiper terminals. In using this cord bracket 22, the cords are passed through the large opening in the curled end, and then soldered to the wiper terminals. The said cords may then be fastened to the said bracket 22 in any suitable manner, either b v placing a twine around the cords and fastening them to the bracket or b v squeezing the curled end of the bracket 22 around the wiper cords.

The arm 23 is carried by the drum or gear 24 which is pivotally secured to the clamping collar 25 by means' of the shaft or bolt 26. This drum 24 has gear teeth cut in the periphery thereof which are in mesh with teeth in the secondary saft SS so 'that when the said shaft SS is reciprocated longitudinally, the transferred motion due to the engagement between the teeth of gear 24 and shaft SS, rotates the said gear 24 about the pivot 26, thereby moving wipers 19, 20 and 21 along a row of bank contacts 8, 9 and 10. The said gear drum 24 is hollow and has a clock spring 27 which ts snugly therein and has a plate 28 pressed into the said hollow soas to hold the spring 27 therein. The outer end of spring 27 is suitably pinned to drum 24, while the inner end is adapted to hook over the pin 29 in shaft 26. This spring 27 is so arranged that the tension thereof exerted upon the drum 24 tends to pull the wipers 19, 20 and 21 downward but which is normally prevented due to stop 42 of shaft SS engaging the lower end of shaft PS. The clamping collar 25 is secured to primary shaft PS and said shaft is adapted to partake of rotary motion only. The said shaft PS extends through the sleeve bearing 30 shown in the sectionin Fig. 7.

Secured to the upper end of primary shaft PS is the primary or rotary ratchet wheel 3 1 bearing against the uppermost end of sleeve 30 while the clamping collar bears against the lower end of the sleeve 30. The upper end of sleeve 30 is hollowed out .as shownvin Fig. 7 and contains a clock spring 32 having its outer end secured to the said sleeve 30 and its inner end secured to the primary shaft. The spring 32 is so arranged that due to its tension, it has a tendency to hold the stop 31 of primary ratchet 31 against the stop 33 of the block 75 Fig. 16.

The clamping collar 25 which is secured to primary shaft PS has an ear 33, to lwhich is secured a primary detent or retaining pawl 34. Said detcnt 34 is held in engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 35 by means of the spring 36 shown in Fig. 6. The said ratchet wheel 35 is rigidly secured to sleeve 30, being preferably driven on to the end of the said sleeve as shown in the broken away portion in Fig. 1, so that the said ratchet l35 has no movement being supported by sleeve 3() which is also held rigid. Vhen the primary shaft PS is rotated, carrying the wipers and collar 25 therewith, the' detent 34 by engaging the teeth of ratchet wheel 35, prevents back movement of the primary shaft PS until the said detcnt 34 is moved out of engagement with the teeth of ratchet 35. The said sleeve bearing 30 has a clamping ring 38 threaded on to its upper end as shown in Fig. 7, the said ringr 3S having two screws 39 threaded therein and adapted to engage frame l. The upper or drum portion of sleeve 30 is slightly larger than the next portion 40, thus forming a shoulder which rests upon frame 1, the said portion 40 titting snugly into the opening 41 of the said frame. By means of clamping ring 38 and screws 39 the said sleeve 30 is rigidly held in an adjusted position in the said frame.

The secondary shaft SS extends through the hollow primary shaft PS, having a stop 42 secured to its lower end, the said stop 42 engaging the lower end of primary shaft PS, thus serving as a stop for the said shaft SS when it is restored. The said shaft SS has a slight clearance in several places, preferably above and below the part of the shaft SS having the gear teeth cut therein, thus the said shaft SS bears only at its ends and in a middle part. At the upper end of shaft SS are the ratchet teeth 43 which are adapted to be acted upon to move the shaft SS downward and thereby rotate the wipers 19, 2O and 2l vertically along contacts 8, 9 and 10 of a contact bank 3. The upper extension 44 of secondarv shaft SS has rubber buffers 45 and 46 secured thereto, so that on the first downward step of the shaft SS the buffer 45 is adapted to move away from the lower secondary ofil normal spring SON, allowing the off normal switch SON to assume an alternate position. rl`he bufl1 er 46 is adapted when the secondary shaft SS is moved to its extreme downward position, and after the wipers 19, 2O and 21 have moved beyond the last contacts 8, 9 and 10, to act upon the over run switch ORS opening the contacts thereof. The extension 44 of shaft SS passes through slotted openings of the said switch springs. the said slots being large enough to keep part 44 clear of electrical Contact with the said switch springs. When the sec ondary shaft SS is moved to this over run position whereby the wipers 19, 2O and 21 are one step beyond the last row of bank contacts 8, 9 and 10, the finger 47 carried by the gear 24, engages arm 34 of primary detent 34 rotating the said detent on its pivot and disengaging it from the ratchet 35. When this occurs the wipers and the primary shaft are rotated back in a hori- Zontai direction, by spring 32, until the stop 3l of the primary ratchet 31 engages the stop 33 of block 75.

The primary magnet PM which is adapted to move the wipers 19, 20 and 21 in a primary or horizontal direction, comprises the usual electromagnet spool 49 and heel iron or pole piece 50. The rear end of the core of magnet 49 is suitably secured to pole piece 50 as shown by the dotted screw in Fig. 3, the said pole piece being rigidly fastened to the vertical portion of frame 1 by means of screws 51. The terminals 52 of magnet 49 extend through openings of pole piece 50 and .frame 1, being insulated therefrom, Pivoted to the forward end of pole piece 50 is the armature 53, carrying the pivoted pawl 54. The said pawl 54 has an extending portion 54, which serves as a stop for armature 53 upon its retraction, by engagement with the screw stop 542, which is threaded into an ear 56 of the frame 57. The armature 53 is held at normal under tension of spring 58, while the spring 59 acts upon pawl 54, the said springs 58 and 59 being fastened to armature 53 by means of screws and clamping plate 60. rlhe spring 58 has its free end resting against the extension 61 of frame 57, so that when armature 53 is attracted, it moves against the tension of the said spring, the said spring then serving to restore the armature upon the denergization of the primary magnet. The adjustable stop 62 which is threaded into an ear 62 of frame 57, serves as a locking stop for the pawl 54, upon attraction of armature 53, as illustrated more clearly in Fi 4. In the operation of primary magnet M the armature 53 is attracted moving away from stop 542, and during this movement the spring 59 acts upon pawl 54, rotating the said pawl about its pivot and into engagement with a tooth of primary ratchet 31, and the armature continuing in its movement, rotates said ratchet wheel 31 until pawl 54 engages the stop 62 and assumes the position shown in Fig. 4. The stops 62 and 542 are so adjusted that upon each operation ofthe primary magnet PM, the primary ratchet 3l is advanced one step or one tooth and the wipers are horizontally rotated from one bank 3 to the next.

VRigidly secured to the primary ratchet wheel 3l is an off normal stud 68 having an insulated sleeve 64 suitably secured to its upper end. rlhis insulated sleeve 64 normally rests in engagement with a primary olf normal spring lUN, thusholding the primary olf normal switch PON in its normal position as shown in Fig. 3. Upon the first primary step of the switch, which of course means the first step of primary ratchet 31, the insulated sleeve 64 moves away from the primary olf normal switch springs and they assume an alternate position. The said switch springs lON are insulatingly mounted on frame 57 by means of screws 65.

The secondary magnet SM comprises the usual electromagnet 66, having the pole pieces 67 and 68 secured to the ends of its core by screws. The core of magnet SM has its ends shaped to lit into transverse slots in the pole pieces so that when the secondary magnet unit is removed from the frame l, the parts are rigidly held together. Fastened to the pole piece 67 is the rear frame 69, while the front frame, 70 is suitably fastened to the pole piece 68. Pivoted between the Said frames 69 and 70 is the armature 7l overlying the said pole pieces 6T and (3S, and adapted to he attracted hy them when the magnet en l al. The arm 7l' ot armature 7l carrie@ the seefinilnry artir atingr panl 72 which is pirol'ell to the outer unil of :Haiti arm il as shown in tig. lil. Fig. l?. whit-h illust' tes moet elearly some of the parts of the flewlulary magnet @nous a portion of the traine 7|.) lu'olwu away to i lustralrthe manner in uhieh the tension s wings art upon n'mature il. The tension )ringr TS fari-teneri to tirol-inver suriaoe olf ie uill'lvr ,Hart ol traine Tl), has ilsl tree'end ngljaqiug a piu rshirh i seeurerl to the armaA ture Tl. so that when the armature Ti is al1- tracteil lu' its. eleetroinagnet the said spring 73 restores the armature after the niagwt is (lenergizeil. The spring' 7i has one end riveted to armature 7l and ha. itx-l free end hearing' upon a projecting portion of pawl 72. The upper left (alge of parfl 7;? as illus trateil in Fig. lli rests. normali',r in engagement Withthe l' '-\'n\ar lly extending portion of traine 7l), this` iloifnwarillj extending portion acting as a stop ik armature Tl and also acting as a .stop l'or paul 7i, so that when arnmture Tl is' restoring;P after it has heen attracted, the .suivi paul 7i' engages this stop and is thrown out oi engagement with ratchet teeth Ylil of shaft Vin if Y 5l, the frame 7l) ot' seeoinlary magnet SM lirolien :away to expose the armature 7l more clearly.

The hloeh T5 is :'ullgustahly seeurrd to the frame 1.75 lining 'slirlahly mounted in a slot in said traine l as illustrated in Fig. '13. The inclined end ifi o" hlorli 75 serres as a locking top tor pau'l i2 so that when armature 7l ot the secondary magnet SM is attracted, the said stop 7 limits the downward nim ornent o the paul 72 and also ne adapted to lor-.lc the said paul and its engagiert @0th of ratchet l'. in sinh a manner that any over run ol the seeoiulark shait SS due to the nlonientuni rereirefl trom its actuation, is prevented.

The secondary detenta or retaining paul 77 is pivoted to the prin'ifiriratchet heel lll. and has a` spring 7h, hm ing one enil helft lay the clip T9 while the other end engages the (latent 77 in suon a manner that the spring tends to rotate the sairl leteut 77 against the ratchet teeth i3 of secondary sha l't SS. The block 80 has a projecting portion nier-'lying the said dotant 77. heilig so lifted that the said detent is .tree to rotate on its pivot lult is held hv nieana of the said. 'olorfk Flll against, the upper surlar' i ratrlwt wheel l l i oil ll'hen the switch is in ite normali-position the lim elvd end of datent 'f7 rests in engage ment with the beveled end ol the adjustable stop Sl. therein' being hohl out of engagement with the ratehet teeth 43 of shaft SS as illustrated in Fig. il. ln Fig. 4 the ratehrt wheel 3- and primaryY hait PS are shown moved Several steps ofi normal. and in this` ligure the detent 77 is shown engaging a lonlh of ratchet. 43, while the dotted lines in said Vig. l indica te its normal position when thrown out ot engagementwith the shaft SS.

in the apr ation ol the switch the primary shaft lS st artuatelrl, thus moving the (latent TT away from its stop 8l so that it may :iet upon the ratchet teeth 43 of shaft SS. Then when the secondary shaft SS is stepped downward the detent 77 is adapted to sucesni rely engage the teeth 43, as the shaft SS is stepped downward moving one notch for each actuation ot' the secondary magnet SM. Each step ot the shaft SS downward advanees the wipers 19, i2() and 2l from one set ot contaets 9 and l0 to the next set of contacts.

ln the release of the switch after the Wipers 19, 2O and Q1 have been moved to enpage a .wt of bank vontacts 8, 9 and 10, the

secondary magnet SM is actuated, stepping shaft SS downward unt-il the Wipers 19, Q() mul 21 have mlraneed one step beyond the laat or uppermost set oi cont-acts 8, 9 and 10. As the said wipers advance to this position, the linger 4T., which is carried by the gear fil, engages the arm lll of primary detent fil. mening; the said deent out of engagement with ratehet wheel 37, and thus it Will he seen :hat the. spring; 32 which acts upon priniaiw shaft PS, restores the said shaft lS hy rotating it until the stop 3l of primary ratehet Ill engage@ the stop 33 of block T. the wipers 1S), 2l) and Q1 of course also being earried along. the primary ratchet ll advances to its normal position as just described. the beveled end of detent 77 engages the beveled, end of stop 81 and the said (havnt TT is thereby thrown out of engagexnenl with seronl'larjf shaft SS, allowing the said shaft,- SS and the wipers 19, 20 and 21 to he resor ,il by the spring 27 which is in the spring' drum 2l. l'pon the restoration ot the p 'iniary shaft PS to normal the stud lll engages and restores the primary off nornril switch PGN, hile upon the restoration oi the siwonllary shaft SS the insulated huller -lfl engages and restores the secondary oli normal switch SGN to normal. At the hr 'inninga of the restoring movement of shaft Srl the. rubber halter 46 moves 11puawl away from over run switch ORS re- `storing the said snit-oh to normal.

ligidly secured to the vertical part of trame l. the angular bracket. 85, on which is mourned a rubber block and clamping lnmnher QG. carrying a number of terminals 9T. 'lheef terminals are :ulapted to be inserted hetwr-en jurk springs F49 in a` Well known manner. The switch as a whole may hruuuimml on an;v lsuitable frame, and inl springs 8S, thus alfording connection to the ditlerent magnets and contacts through the -iack springs and terminal springs 87.

lThus, to move the frame 1 and its parts, the screw 90 more clearly shown in Fig. 17, is loosened and the frame 1 moved upward until the large opening is directly back of the head of screw 00, and the frame 1 may then be moved forward away from the bank frame 2 and replaced by another frame.

The switch as illustrated, is made up of certain units which are each detachably secured to the frame 1. For instance, the primary magnet PM including all the parts carried thereby, is a unit which may be removed from frame 1, by taking out the screws 51 and 51.

To remove the unit which comprises secondary magnet and the parts carried thereby, the screws 82, 83 and 81 are removed, and it may be removed as a whole and be replaced by another one. To remove the sleeve 30 and the wipers, shafts, and other parts carried thereby, the screws 39 are first loosened, then the clamping ring 38 is re moved from the threaded portion of sleeve 30, and then by removing the block 75 and pressing pawl 72 back toward the frame of magnet SM, the sleeve 30 may be Inoved upward until the portion 30 is in thehole 41 and it may then be moved forward through the slot 41', and thus is free of the frame 1.

lt will thus be seen from the foregoing description that should either of the magnets or any of the parts carried thereby, be in need of repair, they may be readily replaced by other units without disturbing other parts of the switch, and as to the wiper carrying unit, which includes the two actuating shafts, this may be moved by disturbing only the block 75, or if desired the frame 1 if in need of repair, may be removed and replaced by another one and then any of the units replaced.

Fig. 18: 1n describing the operation of the switch l believe it is an advantage to refer to a circuit arrangement, therefore I have included the circuit arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1S that the operation'of the switch may be more fully understood, but it is to be understood that the circuit arrangement illustrated is no part of my invention, and that the switch structure is capable of many other uses than in connection with said Fig. 18. In the said Fig. 18 I have illustrated a circuit arrangement A, which may be used as a selector switch circuit, connected to a sub-station B by means o line conductors 100 and 101. The Sub-stationv l is a well known telephone circuit arrangement and includes a dial 102 adapted to operate impulse springs 103. The selector circuit A includes a primary magnet PM, secondary magnet SM, a primary ott' normal switch PON, a secondary off normal switch SUN, and an over run switch ORS. The operation of the switch is under the control of a primary relay PR, a secondary relay SR, a release relay RR and a busy relay BR. The apparatus of circuit A which corresponds to parts of the switch structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 17 have correspondence reference, characters.

The operation of the switch when using the circuit of Fig. 18 is as follows: The receiver is first removed from the switch hook at sub-station 13, and a circuit through primary relay PR is closed from ground through the lower Winding of said relay PR, line conductorv 101, sub-station 13, line conductor 100, and through the upper winding ot' relay PR to battery, energizing the said relay and closing a circuit through re lease relay RR from ground at alternate contact 104, thereby energizing the said relay RR. Dial 102 is now operated until a required number of teeth on the periphery thereof have passed springs 103, say tive of them if connection is desired to the fifth group of contacts, and the dial is then released, being restorcd by the spring shown thereon, opening and closing contact springs 103 and interrupting the circuit through primary relay PR tive times. Responsive to said operations of relay PR the circuit through release relay RR is interrupted Eve times, but the said relay being a slow releasing relay, does not retract its armature while its circuit is being rapidly interrupted. Upon the lirst denergization of relay PR, secondary relay SR is energized, from ground through alternate contact 105', normal contact 106 and the winding of relay SR to battery. The said clay SR being also a slow releasing relay maintains its arn'iature attracted, while the primary relay PR is vibrating, due to the impulses over the circuit just traced. Also responsive to the encrgization of relay PR, five impulses of current are transmitted through primary magnet PM. traced from ground through alternate contact 105, normal contact 107, normal contact 10S, and winding of magnet PM to battery. Responsive to the resulting live operations of magnet PM, its`actuating pawl engages the teeth of primary ratchet 31, rotating primary shaft PS and stepping the wipers 10, 20 and 2l to a point below the fifth contact bank 3. Upon the first step of primary shaft PS the primary off normal switch PON moves to its alternate position llO www] mmmme f as previously described, and the secondary retaining pawl Ti' moves into engagement with sha l't SS, so as to be `in a posit-ion to engage the teeth 43 when the shaft SS is stepped downward. After the last impulse has been transmitted troni relay PR, it remains energized over the line circuit and the circuit through secomlaryv relayI SR` is interrupted at normal contact 10G long enough tor said relay SR to deenergize. Responsive to the said dcenergization, an energizing circuit for busy relay Bh established from ground through alternate contact 1115, alternate contact 10G, normal Contact 109, alternate contact 110 ot switch PON, which is now closed, normal contact lll, winding of said relay BR to battery, energizing the said relay. Responsive to the said energization of relay BR a circuit for secondary magnet SM established from ground through alternate contact 112 and the winding of said magnet SM to the alternating current generator, and the said magnet SM is thereupon energized and its pawl 72 engages a tooth 43 ol' sha tt SS, moving the said shaft downward one step and thereby moving wipers 19, 20 and 21 into engagement with the first set ot contactsl 9 and 10 of the selected contact banli. U pon the ilrst downward step ot shaft SS, secondary oli' normal switch SUX is moved to .its alternate position as previously described, thereby opening the initial energizing circuit for busy relay BR at contact 11i. Assuming that one of the multiple sets ot the said first setof'contacts 8, L and 1U have already been engaged by another switch. in a manner which is well known in the art, there will be a ground upon private contact 1U and a locking circuit for relay BR will beA established from the said ground, and secondary magnet SM continues to step the wipers 19, 20 and 21 until an idle set oi' contacts 8, 9 and 10 are engaged. thereby openingthe loci-:ing circuit for relay BR which denergizes and inter. rupts the circuit through secondary magnet SM preventing any lurtber actuation thereof. To release the switch to restore it to normal, the receiver is again replaced upon its switch hook interrupting the circuit through primary relay' PR. thereby interrupting the circuit through release relay vlill and allowing said relay RR to deliner gine and retract its armature. Responsive to the said deinergization of relay RRy a circuit for relay BR is established from ground at normal contact 10,3, over run switch ORS, alternate contact 113 and the winding of said relay BR to battery. Relay' BR thereupon energized. closing a circuit through magnet SM i'rom ground at alter- 119., and the said magnet SM nate contact now steps shaft SS downward, thereby moving vvipers 19, Q0 and 21. upward along the contacts 8, 9 and 10 until they have stepped above the uppermost contact set, when the finger 47 carried by gear 24, engages the arms 34 of detent 34 moving the said detent out of engagement with ratchet 35. Vl'hen the shaft SS has been moved to this position the rubber buffer 46 opens the contact springs of over run switch ORS, thereby interrupting the circuit through relay BR which nowfdenergizes, interrupting the circuit through magnet SM and preventing any further actuation thereof. As soon as detent 34 is moved out of engagement with ratchet 85, it will be seen that the shaft PS is restored by the spring 32 thus restoring wipers 1S), 20 and 21 horizontally, above the uppermost sets of contacts 8, 9 and l0, as previously described. While tf e shaft PS is restoring to normal, and j ust before it reaches its normal position, the detent 77 engages the stop 8l and is thrown out of engagement with the teeth 43 of shaft When the said detent 77 is disengaged from teeth 43 of shaft SS, it will be seen that the spring 2T is free to act, and it now restores Wipers 19, Q0 and 21 downward to their normal position, and the gear 24 being in mesh with the rack of shaft SS, the said shaft is restored upward until the stop 42 at its lower end engages the end of shaft PS.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that in the operation of the switch, the wipers 19, and 21. are first rotated horizontally to a contact bank 3 and are then rotated vertically to a Contact in the selected bank. In releasing the switch the vertical rotary motion of the. Wipers is continued until they reach a point above the uppermost contact sets 8, 9 andslO whereby thc` shaft PS is automatically released, restoring the Wipers in a horizontal rotar direction until the secondary shaft SS is automatically released, whereby the wipers are restored downward until they assume the position shown in Fig. 1.

ln Fig. 18 I have not shown connections for the rotary Wipers 15 and 16, but in using the switch of my invention as a line selector, ot' which it is also capable of being used, these wipers 15 and 16 may be used in controlling the selection of a contact bank 3, although it should be understood that they may be used for other purposes and are not limited to any particular use.

1t will be understood that 1 do not wish to limit myself to the details of construction above described. I have worked out my invention in commercial form, but many other en'ilnidin'ients thereof might be designed and many changes in the construction shown, might be made, without departing in any way from the spirit of my in'- vention, and I contemplate in the appended claims all such modiiications. The principle of my invention is one that is highly useful and I have shown herein only the preferred form embodying that principle in a commercial switch, but I desire to cover all such forms as come within the scope of that principle.

I claim:

l. An automatic switch, comprising bank contacts arranged in groups, wipers adapted to coperate with said contacts, a primary magnet adapted upon operation to move said wipers to a group, a spring member adapted to act upon said wipers to' retard said primary movement, a secondary magnet adapted upon operation to move the wipers to a contact in the selected group, a second spring member adapted to act upon said wipers to retard said secondar movement, said secondary magnet being adapted to advance said wipers to aA position beyond the last contact in the selected group, means actuated upon said wipers assuming such position whereby said wipers are restored by said spring members.

Q. In an automatic switch7 passive contacts arranged in rows, movable arms having contact ends adapted to engage said contacts, an electromagnet and apparatus controlled thereby for rotating said contact ends to select a row, elastic means for retarding the movement of said contact ends, a second electromagnet and apparatus con trolled thereby for rotating said contact ends in an intersecting plane to select a contact of a row, elastic means for retarding said latter rotation, said second electromagnet also being adapted to rotate said contact ends to a position beyond the last contact in the row, whereby said elastic means are adapted to automatically restore said contact ends.

3. In an automatic switch, passive contacts arranged in rows, movable arms having contact ends adapted to engage said contacts, an electromagnet and apparatus controlled thereby for rotating said contact ends to select a row, a second electromagnet and apparatus controlled thereby for rotating said contact ends in an intersecting plane to select a contact of a row, said second electromagnet also being adapted to rotate said Contact ends to a position beyond the last contact in the row.y whereby said contact ends are automatically restored.

4A. An automatic switch including passive contacts arranged in rows, movable contact ends adapted to engage said passive contacts, a spring retarded shaft for moving said contact ends to select a row, a primary magnet for actuating said shaft, a second spring retarded shaft for moving said contact ends to select a Contact in a row, a sec-I ondary magnet for actuating said second shaft, said secondary magnet being adapted to aetuate said second shaft to move said contact ends to a position beyond the last contact of the row, and means actuated upon movement of the contact ends to such position whereby said contact ends and said shafts are automatically restored.

5. An automatic switch including passive contacts arranged in rows, movable contact ends adapted to engage said passive contacts, a rotatable shaft for rotating said contact ends to select a row, an electromagnet for rotating said shaft, a longitudinally movable shaft and connecting mechanism for rotating said contact ends in an intersecting plane to connect with a contact in a row, a second electromagnet for moving said second shaft, said second electromagnet being adapted to continue the movement of said second shaft to advance said contact ends in a position beyond the last contact of they row, and means thereupon actuated whereby said shafts and contact ends are automatically restored.

6. An automatic switch including a frame, bank contacts divided into groups, a unit detachably supported by said frame comprising wipers, primary and secondary actuating shafts and suitable connecting mechanisln between said shafts and the wipers, each of said shafts also having an actuating ratchet, a pair of electromagnets and actuating pawls, one for each shaft. each said electromagnet and its associated pawl forming 9 ay unit detaehably supported by said frame.

7. An automatic switch including a frame, bank contacts divided into groups, a unit comprising wipers, primary and secondary wiper actuating shafts and suitable connectin g mechanism between said shafts and wipers, said unit being detachably supported by said frame, and a pair of actuating electromagnets. one for each shaft.

8. In an automatic switch, a detachable unit therefor including wipers adapted to be moved primarily and secondarily in interscctiirar planes. primary and secondary actuating shafts, and suitable connecting mechanism between said shafts and wipers.

9. An automatic switch comprising a bank of passive contacts, a cooperating active-contact, means for moving said active contact into engagement with one of said passive contacts` and then moving said active contact beyond said bank, and mechanism thereupon effective for restoring said active contact to normal position.

10. An automatic .switch comprising a bank of passive contacts, a cooperating active contact, means for moving said active contact against the action of two retarding springs into engagement with one of said passive contacts, and means for continuing the movement of said active contact beyond said bank, said springs being thereupon effective to restore said active contact to normal position.

11. An automatic switch comprising a bank of passive contacts, a coperating active Contact, means for moving said active contact against the action of a retarding spring into engagement with. one of said pasY sive contacts, means for thereafter continuing the movementof said acti ve Contact beyond said bank, and means for thereupon leasing said spring! to restore said active con tact to normal position without retracingits movement.

12. An automatic switch comprising a bank of passive contacts7 a coperating ac4 tive Contact, means for moving said active contact against the action of a retarding spring into engagement with one of said passive contacts, means for thereafter continuing the movement of said active contact beyond said bank, and means whereby said spring thereupon moves said active. contact in a forward direction to its normal position.

13. An automatic switch comprising a bank of passive contacts, a cooperating active Contact, means 'for moving said active contact to one of said passive contacts. means for retin-ding said movement, and means for moving said acthe eentact beyond said bank, whereby it is restored to normal posi tion by said retarding means.

14. An automatic switch comprising a bank of passive contacts, a suitable coperating active Contact, ine-ans for movingl said active contact in two different directions to engage one of said passive contacts, a retarding device therefor elieetive in each direction of movement, said retard ing device becoming active Awhen said active Contact is moved beyond said bank to restore it to normal position.

l5. An automatic switch comprising a bank of passive contacts and an associated active Contact, of suitable means for primarily driving said active contact against spring pressure to a group of passiw contacts, means `for sceondarily drh ing' said active contact against spring pressure to en gage one ofA said passive contacts, means for thereafter drivingsaid active contact bevond said bank, whereby said active member is restored to normal position by said spi-in pressure.

16. An autim'iatic switch bank oi passive contacts. tive contact therefor,

comprising a of a suitable ac electromagnetic means mam-.4.o

for drivingY said active Contact in tivo directions to engage with one of said passive corr tants, and suitable driving; means i'or mov ingr said active c ntaet in tvvo directions ov er a dii'erent path. to ref -e it to normalv positien.

i7, An automatic switch bank of passive contacts of a suitable cooperating active contact, eiectromagnetic mea for driving' said active contact in two directions to engage one of said passive contacts, electro!nannetic means for thereafter moving said active contact bevond said bank, and suitabe driving means Lor movint;lr said active contact in two directions over a dilerent path, to rester it to normal position.

lbf. A. sciector S4 arrni'wwl in groin;

comprising a :h comprising contacts s, mechanism for driving' the wipers of the contacts against opposiia;Y spring tension to a. group and then against opposin sprintf tension to a Contact in the group, and inerme uherebv said mech-V anism renters the wipers.

if). A conm .switch comprising arcuate radiaiy ,ed groups of contacts, mccbaninn for driving the wipers of the contacte` to a group and then to a contact in a seected group, and means whereby said mechanism restores the wipers.

2U. step by step selector switch comprisingl; arcuate radially disposed groups of contacts, mechanism for driving the wipers of tie contacts step by step te a group and then sep bhv step to a contact in the selected group, and means vvlnafeliy said mechanism efere he restoration of the wig'iers.

' selector switch. compi ng arcullv disposed groups of contacts, mecharism for rotating? the .vipers oit the contacts to a group and then rotating the wipers to a contar in the seireted group, and me* hereby the .second driving means ci Y 9 the restoration ol' the vv ipers,

Signed lr me at Chi .no. countv of Cook and Statcot illinois1 in the p11-sence ol' 'two witnesses.

WlJLIAlvi KESLLYG. \."s'itnesses: n

(iionen ri, Mummia, W .mma n l5 ein; n A i i N. 

